Deep Lake

How big is Deep Lake?

How deep is Deep Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Deep Lake?

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Are there boat launches on Deep Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Deep Lake?

Deep Lake is a 47-acre lake located just east of the city of Clearbrook in Clearwater County. There is an unimproved public water access located on the southeast end of the lake. Deep Lake is managed as a two-story fishery with rainbow trout, sunfish, black crappie, largemouth bass and northern pike all present in the lake.

Yearling rainbow trout have been stocked annually at a rate of 100 fish/acre since 2008. The 2012 rainbow trout catch rate of 10.50 fish/gill net shows an abundant trout population in Deep Lake. Rainbow trout ranged in length up to 18.1 inches, with an average size of 12.4 inches and 0.84 pounds. The length frequency distribution of the sample suggests the presence of 3 to 4 year classes of trout, indicating good survival and growth of stocked fish. Anglers have reported catching rainbow trout in excess of 20 inches in length during the past few years. Deep Lake is open to fishing during the winter season (see regulation synopsis for details). The success of rainbow trout management in Deep Lake has made it a popular destination for local anglers.

Deep Lake contains a low-density northern pike population. The 2012 catch rate of 1.5 fish/gill net is well below the statewide lower quartile value of 2.8 fish/gill net for class 28 lakes. Pike ranged up to 36.3 inches in length, with an impressive average size of 28.4 inches and 7.5 pounds. Interestingly, the average size of pike in Deep Lake has nearly doubled since the last assessment in 2005, most likely due to the availability of rainbow trout as a prey species. Pike are voracious predators of trout, but their presence in such low numbers is not detrimental and provides anglers the opportunity to catch truly large pike.

Bluegill, black crappie and largemouth bass are all present in Deep Lake. The lake's deep basin and sharp shoreline drop-offs limit suitable habitat for these warm-water species, resulting in low-density populations with relatively slow growth rates. The 2012 assessment catch rate for bluegill was 16.0 fish/trap net, which is within the normal range for class 28 lakes. Bluegill reproduction has been consistent, with 6 year classes identified from the sample. Medium size bluegill from 6 to 8 inches in length comprised a large proportion of the sample (55%). Growth rates for bluegill were actually above average for this lake type in the Bemidji area, so these fish have some potential to reach larger sizes, and fish up to 9.4 inches in length were present in the 2012 sample. Black crappie were captured in very low numbers compared to previous assessments and may not warrant any angling effort at this time. The largemouth bass catch rate of 1.33 fish/trap net was within the normal range for class 28 lakes. Largemouth bass ranged in length up to 13.9 inches. Growth rates for largemouth bass were below the Bemidji area mean for this lake class, which may limit the ultimate size bass are able to obtain in the lake. Other warm-water fish species sampled in small numbers in 2012 included hybrid sunfish, pumpkinseed sunfish, yellow bullhead and yellow perch.